Vietnam urged to increase minimum wages
Many say the minimum wage in Vietnam should rise this year, but there is dispute about how much of a jump can be afforded.
Employer and labour groups in Vietnam are on a collision course, with each calling for different-sized increases to the national set of minimum wages.
The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour has proposed an 8.18% increase, bringing minimum earnings into the range of VND 180,000 to 380,000 (US$7.70 to US$16.30) per month.
But the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has proposed a more modest 2.0% increase in its submission to the government.
It noted that as many as 72% of businesses were already paying their staff at least six percent above the declared minimum wage, which differs according to cities and regional centres.
Both sides are expected to make final submissions to the government in July.
